When substance is ignored in favor of parsing the language used, you know you have hit the target dead center and there is no recourse for your opposite number than to decry your lack of “sensitivity” to his feelings.

Such a diversion is usually successful, simply because most people will then try to pretend they give a shit about the feelings of one who preys on their rights. Why, is beyond me. But most concede the point, by trying to prove their sensitivity to the debater, rather than the subject of the debate.

Once that happens, the argument is lost because it becomes about what it is not about.

You’re doing just fine with the language. I have often call a bastard “one in a long line of unmarried and sometimes unacquainted people”, only to have them not understand I had just called them bastards. The language was certainly polite, but the impact was lost.

Many “smart” people aren’t.

Besides, the more PSH you get from them directed at you, the more successful it shows you to be. It goes with the territory.

Now ask Eddie Murphy if “bad” language is a carreer killer.

Of course, you’re still a step ahead, because you write under a pseudonym. Any legitimate career could be pursued under your real name, or another pseudonym. Say Uncle is tarnished though, so to speak. So I say keep doing whatever feels natural under this name, cause it’s too late to be good now.

I agree about “new and imaginative”, and also like to resurrect dated phrases and expressions, both vulgar and otherwise. If people don’t like it they can hug THIS nut. (Don’t exclude the accompanying vulgar gesture.)

Then he would rap us upside the head just to make sure we got the point.

But in the hands of a master of language, vulgar language takes on a sublime trancendance that can evoke emotions that no amount of purple prose can.

The well crafted curse is something to be treasured and celebrated.

Your mileage may fuckin’ vary.

As a rule, I try not to use the really bad words unless the piece I’m talking about uses it first, then I let loose.

And, did you get to the point in the blogosphere of being talked about by a political-whatever-the-fuck-he-thinks-he-is by being bland and polite?

If you are going to start trying to please others, you might as well shoot the donkey now and save it the anguish.

If you want to make an explicit change, by all means, go for it. Personal growth is a good thing, and you have the talent to take it where ever you’d like. My only advice is that you should always write in a style that satisfies you – as soon as writing becomes a chore, it starts to dry up.

For several reasons, I try very hard not to allow my 21 years as a sailor to “color” my language so to speak…even so, I find the occasional mild epithet useful to emphasize a point…but even as a person who usually frowns on foul language, I don’t think your stuff is overly obnoxious.

Every once in a while I think you could said it in a different way, but most of the time I don’t think you “overuse” foul language. And “overuse” was the point of David’s statement.

Most likely the “political player” objected more to your positions than your language, but used language as an excuse to avoid having to address the substance.

If I were really to hunker down and want to be a professional blogger / journalist, yes, I’d have to change my my language level to reach the broadest audience possible, but I’m not in it for that.

I don’t curse much, and when I do it’s usually (a) because I’m ticked or (b) I’m trying to add a little zing to my writing. I don’t cuss simply because I don’t have other words available in my dictionary.